Software and method for indoor cycling instruction

ABSTRACT

An application software that combines instructional cues with music along with a graphic representation of a workout, such as a cycling workout, for teaching one or more individuals riding stationary bikes, or regular bicycles on stationary trainers, performing other exercises, used for indoor exercise or training. Instructors of indoor cycling or Spinning® classes can use their mobile device to create a class that contains music for the class, their instructional cues by voice or text, and an automatically generated graphic profile of the ride of workout. The climb or graph is represented by harder exercise efforts appearing higher on the graph, with easier efforts appearing lower as a function of the target heart zone or percent of max heart rate. Colors can be associated with specific cardiovascular or power zones of physical difficulty or intensity. By having the music, instructional cues, and graphics related to the class all in the same mobile device, the instructor no longer has to try and work with multiple items or devices while riding a stationary bike.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application number 61/488,652, filed May 20, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to workout teaching aids and, more particularly, to a software application and method for teaching one or more individuals riding stationary bikes, or other bicycles on stationary trainers.

Instructors of indoor cycling or Spinning® classes need both a device to play music for class as well as written notes to teach from, similar to the teaching aids any teacher uses when teaching a class or giving a lecture. Furthermore, if the instructor of the classes wants to convey any graphics related to their class topic or the actions they wish the students to do in class, they must likewise use graphical teaching aids. These can be paper, poster boards or digital assets of various types.

The problem with this for indoor cycling instructors or Spinning® instructors is that the instructors who teach the class are typically riding a stationary bike while teaching. Thus, they are provided with a difficult situation of trying to work with a music player as well as paper and graphics while riding a stationary bike. This is both cumbersome and potentially dangerous for the instructor.

As can be seen, there is a need for improved teaching aid for instructors who teach workouts, especially those in which the instructor also fully participates, such as indoor cycling or Spinning®.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method, written as a programmable code, stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to create, store and execute an exercise class, the method comprises providing a class creation module, the class creation module permitting a user to create the exercise class and store the exercise class on a computing device; providing a class edit module, the class edit module permitting the user to provide audio for the exercise class, the audio being divided into class segments, the class edit module permitting the user to add instructional cues at various points in one or more class segments, the class edit module allowing the user to set heart zone intensity settings for each class segment; and providing a class ride module, the class ride module permitting the user to execute the exercise class stored on the computing device, the class ride module providing a video output to be viewed by participants in the class, the video output including a graphical representation of the heart zone intensity settings in each class segment and an indicator to show a real time indicator of the exercise class as it progresses, the class ride module permitting the user to control various aspects of the exercise class via the computing device.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of teaching an exercise class comprises running an application on a computing device, the application having a class creation module, a class edit module and a class ride module, the class creation module permitting a user to create the exercise class and store the exercise class on the computing device prior to the class, wherein the class edit module permits the user to provide audio for the exercise class, the audio being divided into class segments, the class edit module further permits the user to add instructional cues at various points in one or more class segments, the class edit module allowing the user to set heart zone intensity settings for each class segment; and the class ride module permits the user to execute the exercise class stored on the computing device, the class ride module providing a video output to be viewed by participants in the class, the video output including a graphical representation of the heart zone intensity settings in each class segment and an indicator to show a real time indicator of the exercise class as it progresses, the class ride module permitting the user to control various aspects of the exercise class via the computing device.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the hardware associated with workout instruction, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one of the settings to be taken care of before building a class in the application software of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of steps in creating a new workout class within the software application of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of steps for editing a class with instructional cues and target parameters within the software application of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of steps for riding (teaching) a class previously prepared in the software application of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation showing how a class is displayed to both the instructor and the class itself, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an application software, typically for a portable electronic device, that combines instructional cues with music along with a graphic representation of a workout, such as a cycling workout, for teaching one or more individuals riding stationary bikes, used for indoor exercise or training. Instructors of indoor cycling or Spinning® classes can use their mobile device to create a class that contains music for the class, their instructional cues by voice or text, and an automatically generated graphic profile of the ride of workout. The climb or graph is represented by harder exercise efforts appearing higher on the graph, with easier efforts appearing lower, and further represented with colors associated with specific zones of physical difficulty or intensity. By having the music, instructional cues, and graphics related to the class all in the same mobile device, the instructor no longer has to try and work with multiple items while riding a stationary bike.

The software provides ease of access for the cueing elements, allowing control and edit thereof on one screen. These cues can be further tied to the exact music, allowing the instructor to play the music and select the precise time in which the cue should be delivered from the software's class design tools, as described below. Finally, the selection of a specific heart zone or working intensity level can automatically create the graphic representation so that the cues, music and graphic are all in sync from the instructor's settings configured on one screen.

The software of the present invention may be written in any one or more programming languages. In some embodiments, the software may be designed to operate on a computer system, having a central processing unit, memory and other typical computer components. As used herein, a computer system may include a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or the like. In some embodiments, the computer system can be a smart phone, tablet computer, or the like. In some embodiments, the software may reside on a server and operate on various computers or computer terminals. In some embodiments, the software may reside at least partially on a server or cloud-based system or on an internet-based system, where data, such as saved workouts, songs, and the like, may be stored and exchanged with the software on the computer system.

The software of the present invention may include computer code, disposed on a computer readable medium, adapted to perform the various functions as described herewithin.

A logical menu structure is provided by the application software to guide the user through providing varying degrees of information to produce a unique class containing specific music, instructional cues, target parameters and a graphical representation of the class profile or changing intensity levels over time throughout the length of the class. The steps below, with reference to the accompanying Figures, describe how these menus and the application software itself is executed during an actual class taught by the user or indoor cycling instructor.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hardware used to teach a class is shown. This may include the application software disposed on a computing device (not shown). The computing device may interconnect via a mobile device cable connector 12 to an external monitor or projector 10. The monitor or projector 10 may provide the students in the class with their display for viewing graphical representations as described herewithin. The computing device may also interconnect via an audio cable 16 to an audio system 14. The audio system 14 may provide sufficient sound for cues and songs being played by the computing device.

To use the application software, the user may launch the application on their computing device. Menus can appear to guide the user through the various areas as described below.

Referring to FIG. 2, before building a class, some settings should be addressed. For example, the instructor can set their identity so that any saved classes would be associated under their identity. This may be useful if multiple instructors make classes with the same computing devices, for example. The settings can include pre-class music, pre-class photos or videos to be shown and post-class music. The music selections may come from a variety of sources, such as iTunes®, Spotify or the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a user chooses to create a new class, they may choose various data elements, such as music, for the class. The user can create a new class name, select their music, and adjust the ride level, such as beginner, intermediate, advanced, or other specialty types of rides. The “build a new class” option is typically used to set up the basic components of a class that can later be edited.

Referring to FIG. 4, a user can enter edit class mode through the application software's menu system. Here a user may be able to add or edit class segments (typically songs), provide overall objectives during that particular song or segment thereof, and add textual cues at specified times in the song. The objectives may be preset by the software, or may be defined by the user. The objectives can include steady state, muscular endurance, intervals, active recovery, skill specific, warmup, cooldown and the like.

The user can also select heart zone intensity while in the edit class mode. The heart zone intensity can be used to generate a graphic profile. Each heart zone intensity constitutes a point on the graph in conjunction with the time the intensity was specified, which is a function of the time of the textual cue described above. The heart zone intensity may be provided in various forms. For example, a percentage of maximum heart rate may be used as a standard. Regardless of the standard, the “heart zone intensity” may be a reference to the intensity of a particular segment of a ride.

Other training parameters may be set during the edit class mode and the playlist and/or entire cueing sheet can be emailed to a desired recipient. For example, a cue can be used to set a target cadence, a target heart rate a target rate of perceive exertion (RPE), a target power, and the like.

The above steps for creating classes may be performed on various computing devices. In some embodiments, the classes may be created on the same computing device, such as a smart phone, that is used by the instructor when riding with the class. In other embodiments, the classes may be created on one computing device and a file may be transferred to the instructor's computing device used during the class.

Referring to FIG. 5, the application can include a menu option to “ride a class” which can provide the user with a plurality of pre-saved classes to choose from. If there are pre-class music settings already, the application will play that music before the class actually begins. If this setting wasn't pre-set, then they system may wait to simply start the class. If this setting was pre-set, music will begin and, if a photo or video show was designated and there is an external monitor or projector, the pre-class photo or video show will also appear.

Once the start class option is selected on the instructor's computing device, the first song of the class can begin playing and the mobile device may show the graphical representation, the song being played, any cues provided for this segment, the time to the next segment, and other training parameters, as described above. The instructor's computing device can have access to an on-screen control panel for adjusting the music during class, seeing the entire list of songs and cueing instructions for the class, and the like. These items are typically not shared with the class external monitor/projector.

The external monitor/projector can show a graphical representation of the intensity level of the ride—where the riders are currently (typically with a vertical bar, for example, that moves in synchronized fashion with the music being played), what they have covered (typically through the use of color, for example) and what is coming up. Other parameters may be sent to the external monitor/projector as well, as determined by the instructor when setting up/editing the class.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic representation of how the software application can work is shown. Typically, each class is designed as multiple segments. These segments are executed in order as they appear on the instructors computing device, from top to bottom. The time left on the left of each segment (that isn't in process) is the duration of that segment. Multiple cues can be included in each segment. These cues can be executed in the order as they appear, top to bottom. The time left of each cue is the time that the cue text will appear in the middle of the instructor's screen. Along with the cue text, a variety of training parameters can be shown, such as cadence, heart rate, power, RPE and the like. These parameters are also executed at the assigned time of the cue to which they are associated.

The heart zone parameter is used to create the outline of the graphic profile of the ride, with each individual parameter accounting for a point on the graph.

The instructor's computing device may have a selection to control the ride—including rewind, fast forward, pause, stop, and the like. The instructor's computing device may also include display options, allowing the instructor to select what items to display on the class's monitor/projector.

The instructor's computing device may also include an ad-hoc interval timer that allows the instructor to execute an interval, or what is commonly referred to as a “lap” at any time in the class.

The present invention could easily be used by students without the need for an instructor, in the event they are riding a stationary bike at home, or in a health club cycling room at an “off time” when the room isn't otherwise booked for a class. In this way, students could get a type of “digital coach” telling them what to do via the invention's verbal cues, or via the text cues on the mobile device (provided they have a mount that can see that data).

The invention will produce well-structured and repeatable classes for indoor cycling and Spinning® instructors and students alike. The present invention can provide a system and method, through the software and the mobile device it operates on, for these users to stay organized and more efficient in class preparation and execution.

The invention can also provide distinct workouts or “rides” for students who may not be able to get to a live class. In addition, health clubs that get last minute call-offs from indoor cycling or Spinning® instructors could now use the software of the present invention to direct the class if verbal cues have been added to the classes stored in the software.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, written as a programmable code, stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to create, store and execute an exercise class, the method comprising: providing a class creation module, the class creation module permitting a user to create the exercise class and store the exercise class on a computing device; providing a class edit module, the class edit module permitting the user to provide audio for the exercise class, the audio being divided into class segments, the class edit module permitting the user to add instructional cues at various points in one or more class segments, the class edit module allowing the user to set heart zone intensity settings for each class segment; and providing a class ride module, the class ride module permitting the user to execute the exercise class stored on the computing device, the class ride module providing a video output to be viewed by participants in the class, the video output including a graphical representation of the heart zone intensity settings in each class segment and an indicator to show a real time indicator of the exercise class as it progresses, the class ride module permitting the user to control various aspects of the exercise class via the computing device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing pre-class and post-class music before and after the exercise class.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the instructional cues on the computing device of the user during the exercise class.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying training parameters for each class segment along with the instructional cue.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing multiple exercise classes on the computing device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise class involves cycling.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the video output further includes one or more exercise class parameters.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the video output further includes one or more videos or pictures.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the class edit module allows the user to set one or more parameters for each segment, the parameters selected form the group consisting of a segment name, a training category, a skill, a text or verbal cueing instruction, a time for cue delivery, a target cadence, the heart zone intensity, a rate of perceived exertion and power.
 10. A method of teaching an exercise class comprising: running an application on a computing device, the application having a class creation module, a class edit module and a class ride module, the class creation module permitting a user to create the exercise class and store the exercise class on the computing device prior to the class, wherein: the class edit module permits the user to provide audio for the exercise class, the audio being divided into class segments, the class edit module further permits the user to add instructional cues at various points in one or more class segments, the class edit module allowing the user to set heart zone intensity settings for each class segment; and the class ride module permits the user to execute the exercise class stored on the computing device, the class ride module providing a video output to be viewed by participants in the class, the video output including a graphical representation of the heart zone intensity settings in each class segment and an indicator to show a real time indicator of the exercise class as it progresses, the class ride module permitting the user to control various aspects of the exercise class via the computing device. 